Cuba has decided to give some of its top players permission to play in foreign professional leagues. According to Sports Hochi, the Hanshin Tigers could be interested in a number of players, including twenty-nine-year-old Yulieski Gourriel. However, they are still uncertain of the exact rules and are still checking on their availability.

The Tigers have an interest in Gourriel because he can play second and third -- the team is not satisfied with current internal options at third and has concerns about Nishioka's left knee.

The media learned that Hanshin GM Katsuhiro Nakamura will be heading to the US on the 10th to check on a number of players for the 2014 season. He will spend two weeks in the States and will likely be checking out pitchers (someone that can close) and infielders (right-handed hitter with pop that can play third). Among possible players on their list: infielders Russ Canzler (27), Mauro Gomez (28), Brock Peterson (29), and Brett Pill (29) and pitchers Jose Arredondo (29) and Ramon Troncoso (30).